Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd released the Palook Ball Premier Q, a bulb-type fluorescent lamp that offers sufficient brightness immediately after it is turned on.
The new lamp incorporates an incandescent bulb called "Quick Lamp" inside a spiral arc tube. In order to overcome the problem of insufficient luminous intensity immediately after a lamp is turned on, the new lamp utilizes the Quick Lamp to compensate for the lack of brightness of the fluorescent lamp for the first minute or so.
According to the company, the brightness of the latest lamp increases to 60% of the maximum level in one second at around 25°C and to approximately 100% in a little over a minute. The brightness of the existing products is only about 40% immediately after they are turned on. Fluorescent lamps generally take longer before becoming bright. This is one of the obstacles in replacing incandescent bulbs with bulb type fluorescent lamps.
The latest product is suitable for use in bathrooms, corridors, etc, where the light is used for a short period of time and is frequently turned on/off. The power consumption is 10W, except when using the Quick Lamp (30W).
The life (time required for light flux to be reduced to 80% of the initial level) of the latest lamp is extended from 10,000 to 13,000 hours. The amount of material used to release electrons (the emitter), which is applied on the coil in the electrode unit, has been increased by a certain amount.
In addition, by equalizing the thickness of the fluorescent material applied on the arc tube, the remaining amount of gas generated when baking the fluorescent material has been reduced. As a result, the light flux is less likely to be reduced even when the lamp is used for a longer period of time, the company said.
The number of times that the lamp can be turned on/off during its life cycle is increased from 30,000 to 40,000 through the optimization of amount of emitter applied. This is also advantageous for applications in places where lighting is required for a shorter period of time, according to the company.
The Palook Ball Premier Q comes in three types, namely, the A-type measuring 55mm in outer diameter, the D-type with an exposed spiral arc tube and the G-type with a spherical shape measuring 90mm in outer diameter. Two colors are available for all types: the incandescent color and the cool color, which looks whiter. There is no manufacturer's suggested retail price, but it is expected to be about ¥1,500 (US$14, price may vary depending on country). It is slated for release on July 1, 2008.
Jun 10, 2008 18:42
Masaru Yoshida, Nikkei Electronics
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